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[Rhindle]

Sony, Toshiba join forces for next-generation DVD standard

Two groups led by Toshiba Corp. and Sony Corp. that have been at odds over the standard for next-generation DVDs have reached an agreement and are in the final stages of deciding on a third standard, it has been learned.

The two sides are reportedly aiming to come to an agreement on the new high-capacity standard this month. If a single standard is adopted, it will avoid incompatibility such as that which occurred between VHS and Beta video players and tapes.

Japanese firms have been aiming to launch a next-generation DVD standard at the end of this year. Toshiba Corp. and NEC Corp. have been promoting the low-cost HD DVD format. Sony Corp. and Matsushita Electronic Industrial Co. (Panasonic), on the other hand, have favored the higher-capacity Blu-ray Disc standard. The two standards are incompatible, and both sides have been at odds over them for the past three years.

In the entertainment industry, Warner Bros. and Universal have remained in the HD DVD camp, while others such as Walt Disney and 20th Century Fox have supported Blu-ray. Under such opposition, digital content such as movies would be viewable only with the corresponding player, and this conflict has threatened to hinder software sales.

In a bid to reach a compromise, Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp., which have led the two opposing groups, have come together and are reportedly in the final stages of reaching an agreement. They are reportedly looking to produce a "third standard" that incorporates the benefits of both formats. (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, April 21, 2005)

http://mdn.mainichi.co.jp/news/20050421p2a00m0bu010000c.html

Unless this is a mistranslation, it appears that THE DEAL has been cut .... and a lot sooner than expected.

 

[Fafalada]

HBRVD in PS3!!!!

 

[gofreak]

Wow. Though there still seems to be a little bit of uncertainty..it doesn't seem quite final yet (and we all know how much this story has swung back and forth in the past)..

I wonder if it'll all be done in dusted in time to announce PS3's disc format?

edit: here's another similar report from yesterday:

http://www.reuters.com/audi/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=8242617

Report: Sony, Toshiba Discuss Single DVD Standard
Wed Apr 20, 2005 04:11 PM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) and Toshiba Corp. (6502.T: Quote, Profile, Research) are working on an agreement that could come as early as this month to jointly develop a new unified standard for next-generation DVDs, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported in its Thursday online edition.

The report said Sony and Toshiba stepped up closed-door negotiations around February to find a resolution to the standoff between their competing products. As the leaders of the two camps supporting rival standards, Sony and Toshiba have waged a three-year battle that involves nearly 200 companies worldwide.

After reaching a basic agreement that a unified standard would be desirable, they are now looking to develop a hybrid standard that takes advantage of each standard's strengths, the Nikkei said.

Sony is said to have proposed using Blu-ray's disc structure and HD DVD software technology. Toshiba has presented the idea of using HD DVD's disc structure, which is closer to that of current DVDs, and employing Sony's multi-layer data-recording technology, the report said.

Although the companies have yet to forge a detailed agreement, the talks are expected to produce a workable solution since both companies are likely to be eager to avoid a repeat of the VHS-Beta videocassette war.

The Nikkei report said Sony and Toshiba have already begun briefing Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and AOL Time Warner Inc. (TWX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , as well as Hollywood movie studios, for approval of a unified standard and to pave the way for the signing of an official agreement between the rival camps.

I wonder if these different news outlets are all hearing the same thing seperately, or just reporting based on the Nikkei article?

 

[Elios83]

The question is,will this unified format co-exist with the other two or will it replace the originals?
I think it's more probable it will be a hybrid format compatible both with Blu Ray and HD-DVD readers that will be recommended by both the Blu Ray and HD-DVD groups as the support for HD movies.
So PS3 could still have a Blu Ray drive only.

 

[gofreak]

The question is,will this unified format co-exist with the other two or will it replace the original?
I think it's more probable it will be a hybrid format compatible both with Blu Ray and HD-DVD readers that will be recommended byt both the Blu Ray and HD-DVD group as the support for HD movies..

I think either way it'll replace the concept of two different discs. There'll be one disc. As for the drives, it might help in the short term if either type of drive can read the disc, but to the consumer it'll all be the same. In the medium or short term, everyone will just switch to whatever drive is cheapest to manufacture. They'll all just be called "HDBRDVD" drives (or whatever name they come up with), regardless of the underlying tech, or whatever name they come up with.

In other words, if this comes to pass, Bluray and HD-DVD will no longer exist (except for those few that already own Bluray recorders and the like).

 

[Ghost]

HORAY!


right?

 

[gofreak]

HORAY!


right?

If it happens, for the consumer generally, it's a big hooray. And would be a big hooray for PS3 for Sony. However I'm sure if "compromises" are made, technically, some here might not be too pleased with it. I understand that Bluray is the technically superior format, but honestly, I would easily sacrifice some of that for the security of knowing 100% that there's no losing side you can end up on..

 

[Panajev2001a]

If it happens, for the consumer generally, it's a big hooray. And would be a big hooray for PS3 for Sony. However I'm sure if "compromises" are made, technically, some here might not be too pleased with it. I understand that Bluray is the technically superior format, but honestly, I would easily sacrifice some of that for the security of knowing 100% that there's no losing side you can end up on..

True, sadly I have to agree that this is good for all of us: having the HD-DVD camp surrender without conditions to the Blu-Ray camp would have been even better, but I am a Blu-ray admirer so that might influence the way I would have liked things to go .

 

[The End]

Next Gen Scoring:

Sony +1
Microsoft -1
Nintendo : who the fuck knows

 

[golem]

Peace in our time.

 

[Pimpwerx]

This could suck. All I want is that the new form is AT LEAST as good as BR. I'm talking about 50GB on a dual-layer disc, and the same transfer rates and protections BR had. HD-DVD was a shitty format in comparison, and the cheaper discs is the only thing it had going for it IMO. But if those cheap discs compromise the storage capacity, then I'm gonna be really fucking pissed. Fuck Toshiba and their shit tech. BR 4 LIFE!!! PEACE.

 

[Shrike_Priest]

This is troubling, I don't want anything to affect the launch of the PS3. They'll probably go with Blu-Ray anyway, though. But it kinda diminsihes the value of a Blu-Ray drive if the next gen DVD/Video format will be something completely different.

 

[Panajev2001a]

This is troubling, I don't want anything to affect the launch of the PS3. They'll probably go with Blu-Ray anyway, though. But it kinda diminsihes the value of a Blu-Ray drive if the next gen DVD/Video format will be something completely different.

I think the new format will be able to play on PlayStation 3: Blu-Ray had an impact on both games and on the push for a next-generation DVD format through a popular CE product which the PlayStation 3 is.

Who can rule out the possibility that PlayStation 3 will ship with a drive that can read these new discs ?

 

[Lord Error]

No way PS3 will have a BR in it now. That would be beyond stupid unless this new standard is completely compatible with it. It will either have this new standard (best case scenario, which seems kinda doubtful given that they haven't even inked anything yet and PS3 is not that far away) - or just a crappy standard DVD :\

Who can rule out the possibility that PlayStation 3 will ship with a drive that can read these new discs ?

Noone, but how likely that seems when they haven't even agreed on the standard yet?

 

[Culex]

I'm just hoping they don't sacrifice the incredible storage capacity of Blu-Ray.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

No way PS3 will have a BR in it now. That would be beyond stupid unless this new standard is completely compatible with it. It will either have this new standard (best case scenario, which seems kinda doubtful given that they haven't even inked anything yet and PS3 is not that far away) - or just a crappy standard DVD :\

I have been saying that for a while now, blue ray is just batshit exensive. I'd rather have 512MB Ram than some stupid expensive next gen medium I will never use outside of games.

 

[kaching]

I wonder if something like the BD/DVD hybrid disc that JVC revealed at the end of last year is the basis for this potential compromise:

http://news.com.com/JVC+previews+Blu-ray+DVD+combo/2100-1041_3-5506834.html

No idea of the specifics, but maybe this would require a sacrifice of the more aggressive layering plans BD has specified (4-8 layers), but it'd still be better than standalone HDDVD.

 

[sol5377]

good news. Format wars sucks for everybody, imo.

However, I wonder if these forums would explode if PS3 didn't have a next-gen DVD drive... hmmmmmmmm

 

[thorns]

If this is a reality, I don't think PS3 "standard" version will have BR. I mean the whole point of Sony including BR at a great cost to itself was to push its own developed (and for the most part) format. Why would they include it if it's going to help their competitors as much? they will also get a smaller slice of the pie than they will be getting with blu-ray, most likely.

 

[sonycowboy]

I have been saying that for a while now, blue ray is just batshit exensive. I'd rather have 512MB Ram than some stupid expensive next gen medium I will never use outside of games.

I love short-sighted comments like these. Formats last for ~10 years. That some people honestly believe that we won't run out of space is batshit insane.

 

[Redbeard]

How long would it take to develop a third format inbetween the two? Would it be ready in time for PS3?

 

[seanoff]

"After reaching a basic agreement that a unified standard would be desirable, they are now looking to develop a hybrid standard that takes advantage of each standard's strengths, the newspaper said." AFP


reading other sources is BR hardware with hddvd software.

Sony is said to have proposed using Blu-ray's disc structure and HD DVD software technology. Toshiba has presented the idea of using HD DVD's disc structure, which is closer to that of current DVDs, and employing Sony's multi-layer data-recording technology, the report said. Rueters

 

[pestul]

I have been saying that for a while now, blue ray is just batshit exensive. I'd rather have 512MB Ram than some stupid expensive next gen medium I will never use outside of games.

I agree to an extent.. but more capacity is definately needed. I think we need more than 9GB next gen.

 

[TheJesusFactor]

Wow, I guess the launch of the Xbox 360 this year was a good idea. If sony wants the new drive format in all PS3, this announcement could delay the system release. On one hand it would be smart to jump start the HD Disc format using the PS3 (just like PS2 and DVD) and on the other hand, it would give Microsoft a window of oppurtunity to capture the market in their absence.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

I love short-sighted comments like these. Formats last for ~10 years. That some people honestly believe that we won't run out of space is batshit insane.

They can use two dvd discs or dual layer dvds. I want PS3 to have a 1 PPC, 8 SPE's setup, with an awesome NVIDIA card, 512 MB ram and a new controller! I could care less about what storage medium they use.

 

[Stinkles]

Unified format > any technology. SACD rules but there's like, 12 CDs available thanks to format wars. HD DVD is massively over specified for its basic function - playing and recording high def content and expanded storage. It can do that for very long movies. It can do that for lots of data. So even if it were the base storag for PS3 (which it probably won't be) it would be FINE for the entire generation. Tons of data, tons of content, plenty of speed. So, quit yer bitchin' - especially folks who keep making weirdo judgements about two technologies they have never experienced.

And if you think EA is going to extra effort to fill 50 Gigs over 25 Gigs (and let's face it - 9), you're high.

 

[Shrike_Priest]

"I think the new format will be able to play on PlayStation 3: Blu-Ray had an impact on both games and on the push for a next-generation DVD format through a popular CE product which the PlayStation 3 is."

I would definitely want the PS3 to play the new format, but I'm just not confident that a standard that they are now "looking" to producing will be ready for the PS3-release.

I mean, how long have they been working on Blu-Ray? I find it hard to believe that they'll come up with a solution before the PS3 hits production. Even less so before the developers are gonna need solid numbers on their storage media.

 

[Mooreberg]

This sounds good. I just want them to end up with a format for PS3 that holds more than DVD-ROM. Some of the PC games I have are 10GB now (though about 35% due to downloading extra maps) and if next-gen graphics are going to be even more advanced, a larger storage medium would be good. Going back to multi-disc games would be an awkward step backwards.

 

[Dr_Cogent]

Good news. I don't care if it affects PS3 at all. I want one single standard, not competing technologies ala VHS-Beta Max.

 

[Panajev2001a]

If this is a reality, I don't think PS3 "standard" version will have BR. I mean the whole point of Sony including BR at a great cost to itself was to push its own developed (and for the most part) format. Why would they include it if it's going to help their competitors as much? they will also get a smaller slice of the pie than they will be getting with blu-ray, most likely.

Ever thought that without strong CE products like PlayStation 3 that even this unified Next-Generation DVD might face very slow adoption rate and waste this way lots of dollars of R&D time ?

Having the support for THE Next-Generation DVD format benefits everyone having interests in this format's success: it is still worth Sony's time to push this new format in PlayStation 3 providing it a new drive: there is also the possibility that such new discs can be played by the BD-ROM drive they were planning to put in PlayStation 3 maybe with some relatively "minor" modifications.

BTW, Blu-Ray is not JUST Sony's format, do not ignore the work TDK, Matsushita/JVC and others have done to define and push the format.

 

[Lord Error]

They can use two dvd discs or dual layer dvds.

Dual layer DVDs are already used. Really, there's quite a few games for this gen that already take 8-9GBs. Two or more discs is just awkward and silly in my opinion. I want more memory and fastest awesomest CPU and GPU, but that's not all there is to it. Imagine if PS2 stuck with a CD - we'd be getting God of War on 10 discs, or more likely it simply wouldn't be what it is. Not to mention how convenient it is to have one machine play the games and hidef movies. I'm a big hater of cable clutter and love streamlined solutions so it matters to me.

 

[john tv]

This is awesome news. Make it so!

 

[Pimpwerx]

I have been saying that for a while now, blue ray is just batshit exensive. I'd rather have 512MB Ram than some stupid expensive next gen medium I will never use outside of games.

I don't think you quite get it. That BR drive won't add that much to the cost. Of the big components in the PS3, I think it would be near the middle or even lower on the totem pole of cost. Why do BR players cost so much? Sony has to make profits off the hw sales since there's no software royalties. Sony has to create chips to handle encoding and decoding of video streams. Plus, Sony has to make them writeable, so it'll probably use a more powerful and more expensive laser.

The PS3 will have all the logic already in place. Between the CPU, GPU and I/O processor, you'll have the drive controls and the video handling taken care of. The cost will really be a spindle motor, a laser and the encryption hw BR drives might have. The actual technology itself is as old as the first disk drives though.

The beauty of the model is that if the PS3 sells in massive volumes like the PS2, then drive costs come down not just for the PS3, but for all of Sony, since they'll be making them. The DVD drive in the PS2 didn't affect its cost. I don't expect BR to either. Hell, aren't some people batting around the idea of having a BR and UMD drive in there? PEACE.

 

[kaching]

They can use two dvd discs or dual layer dvds.

Multi-disc games are going to become increasingly awkward as more and more games become fully integrated with a robust online component.

 

[gofreak]

They can use two dvd discs or dual layer dvds. I want PS3 to have a 1 PPC, 8 SPE's setup, with an awesome NVIDIA card, 512 MB ram and a new controller! I could care less about what storage medium they use.

In terms of numbers, if you don't get certain things as you expect them (specifically looking at the CPU here - it won't, effectively, be 8 SPEs I don't think), it won't be because of the presence of a Bluray drive..

 

[FightyF]

So is MS screwed with it's HD-DVD drive? I mean, if the console is supposed to last another 4 years...

 

[Doom_Bringer]

In terms of numbers, if you don't get certain things as you expect them (specifically looking at the CPU here - it won't, effectively, be 8 SPEs I don't think), it won't be because of the presence of a Bluray drive..

why not? Too expensive?

 

[Monorojo]

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5342

They are denying everything right now.

 

[gofreak]

why not? Too expensive?

Volumes/yields, more than cost. It'll be the next best thing, though.

So is MS screwed with it's HD-DVD drive? I mean, if the console is supposed to last another 4 years...

MS is reportedly using regular DVD in X360, not HD-DVD (Allard's comments on the matter seem to confirm that). So they were out of the next-gen dvd arena anyway...there's no risk of them being on a losing side, but then, they're sticking with just DVD.

If they WERE including a HD-DVD drive, I'm sure they'd be trying their damndest to switch to the new format ..but time wouldn't be on their side. Sony has a bit of leeway with PS3's timetable.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=5342

They are denying everything right now.

Thanks for the link. I'd say they would talk it down until it was assured..they have to in case nothing happens. I think this story will go back and forth for some time to come..one minute it's on, one minute it's off. Fingers crossed they manage to sort it out soon.

 

[midnightguy]

IGN

Blu-ray and HD-DVD Join Forces

Sony and Toshiba to team up on a new, unified next-gen format. Where does PS3 fit in?

April 21, 2005 - According to a report by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun, the next-generation format war may be over before it ever starts. The Japanese newspaper on Thursday published with news that Sony and Toshiba are expected to make an announcement later this month that they have abandoned the Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats respectively and are working on a new medium that will bring together both standards.

Sony, a leading member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, announced last year that it would include a Blu-ray drive in its forthcoming next-generation console, PlayStation 3. More than 100 companies, including Apple, Panasonic, HP, and Pioneer, support Blu-ray, which promises up to 50 gigabytes of storage on a single disc side. Toshiba leads the opposing format, HD-DVD.

While it is commonly accepted that Blu-ray discs offer more storage space than HD-DVDs, electronics companies and Hollywood studios have remained divided over the two formats due in large to the manufacturing processes. In short, the DVD infrastructures already in place would serve HD-DVD manufacturers. However, costly new facilities and operations would need to be created in order to support the Blu-ray format.

Sony and Toshiba have remained in negotiations on the subject for weeks, with key company executives from each camp dropping hints that a unified standard would be optimal.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun reports that, having reached an agreement that a new, unified standard would be the best thing for the industry, Sony and Toshiba are now in the process of designing the new standard, which seeks to take the strengths from each medium and combine them.

Sony has reportedly suggested using Blu-ray's disc structure and HD-DVD's software technology while Toshiba has suggested keeping HD-DVD's disc structure and applying Sony's multi-layer data-recording technology.

The Japanese paper reports that both companies are eager to reach an agreement in order to avoid the format wars that initially confused consumers and hindered both the VHS and DVD eras. The two electronics giants have already briefed major Hollywood studios including Disney and AOL Time Warner on the idea of a new, unified standard, according to the paper.

The big question is, what does this news mean for PlayStation 3, which is scheduled to release sometime next year? The very probable answer is that the next-generation machine will drop Sony's announced Blu-ray drive in favor of hardware that instead plays this new, still-announced format compromise.

 

[psycho_snake]

Im guessing that Sony will use this format for PS3, but where does this put MS? Would they change their format to the most popular one or will they stick with what they have?

 

[sonycowboy]

MS is reportedly using regular DVD in X360, not HD-DVD (Allard's comments on the matter seem to confirm that). So they were out of the next-gen dvd arena anyway...there's no risk of them being on a losing side, but then, they're sticking with just DVD.

If they WERE including a HD-DVD drive, I'm sure they'd be trying their damndest to switch to this..but time wouldn't be on their side. Sony has a bit of leeway with PS3's timetable.

In the latest GameInformer, Allard makes a point of saying that media won't be as important for next generation video. He makes references to video on demand (ala Tivo or cable boxes) and satellite video and comes across as believing that the future of HD Video is NOT on a disc, but over the network and on hard drives.

 

[Suikoguy]

In the latest GameInformer, Allard makes a point of saying that media won't be as important for next generation video. He makes references to video on demand (ala Tivo or cable boxes) and satellite video and comes across as believing that the future of HD Video is NOT on a disc, but over the network and on hard drives.

Muwhahaha, thats hillarious
Glad that guy is in charge of the xbox

 

[gofreak]

In the latest GameInformer, Allard makes a point of saying that media won't be as important for next generation video. He makes references to video on demand (ala Tivo or cable boxes) and satellite video and comes across as believing that the future of HD Video is NOT on a disc, but over the network and on hard drives.

I don't think he was saying that was the immediate future, at least. MS recognises that streaming content and wm9 dvds are not a replacement for a true next-gen optical disc format. Maybe in the very long term, when there are no quality issues (i.e. when we have 10s of gigabits per second of bandwidth into our homes and multi-terabyte storage solutions). He was simply towing that line as some kind of alternative for X360, even if it's not an ideal one, and to take the focus of the lack of a next-gen dvd format...he knows it's not a replacement for hd-dvd or bluray though.

 

[Ranger X]

Oh shit. My dream of ONE FORMAT becoming a reality?

My question is will it replace HD-DVD and BlueRays or the 3 of them will be there?
If my whateverDVD machine can read the BlueRays and the HD-DVD why would i ever support one of those? The new format may be there to REPLACE the conflicting previous 2 format isn't it?

 

[gofreak]

Oh shit. My dream of ONE FORMAT becoming a reality?

My question is will it replace HD-DVD and BlueRays or the 3 of them will be there?
If my whateverDVD machine can read the BlueRays and the HD-DVD why would i ever support one of those? The new format may be there to REPLACE the conflicting previous 2 format isn't it?

Yes, they'd replace the two formats (though perhaps moreso in name than anything else - they're likely to take one of the formats and use that, or parts of each any make a hybrid). You wouldn't hear much of either of the current formats afterwards.

It may not happen still, though. They're still "far from an agreement" apparently.

 

[ThirdEye]

In the latest GameInformer, Allard makes a point of saying that media won't be as important for next generation video. He makes references to video on demand (ala Tivo or cable boxes) and satellite video and comes across as believing that the future of HD Video is NOT on a disc, but over the network and on hard drives.

Xbox 360 = Next-gen GD-ROM

 

[Rhindle]

I know I'm sounding like a broken record, but anyone expecting anything other than a regular DVD drive in PS3 is setting themselves up for disappointment. It's just not going to happen unless there is a major delay in the PS3 release date.

There at least is an "agreement to agree" at this point, which is an important first step. But it will months to agree on an actual spec, more time to implement and productize, more time to set up manufacturing capability, test and improve yields, etc. If the PS3 launch gets pushed back to the end of 2006, it might be feasible.

 

[gofreak]

There at least is an "agreement to agree" at this point, which is an important first step. But it will months to agree on an actual spec, more time to implement and productize, more time to set up manufacturing capability, test and improve yields, etc. If the PS3 launch gets pushed back to the end of 2006, it might be feasible.

You're assuming they're going to come up with an entirely new format? The chances of that are so slim. If an agreement is going to happen, it'll be based on the entire adoption of one of the formats, or the partial adoption of both - and this is what both seem to be proposing at the moment, according to this article. Neither will be looking to start from scratch with R&D. It'll be a "new" format - new name perhaps etc. - but the underlying tech may be exactly the same as one of the current competitors, or little different.

According to the initial report, they're hoping to come to an agreement within the month. That alone suggests there'll be nothing like a brand new disc tech emerging. And if that did happen, and the new format was simply the software of one with the hardware of another, or one of the formats in its entirity, or one with tweaks, you could certainly expect to see it in PS3 without any delays.

Analysts are talking about the prospect of long delays, because its their job to highlight risks. Realistically, the chances are slim of a completely new format emerging.

 

[gofreak]

A new article:

http://www.reuters.com/audi/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=8265870

More Electronics Firms Join Debate to End DVD War

By Lucas van Grinsven, European Technology Correspondent

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - More electronics companies have joined talks between Japan's Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp. to develop a common format for next-generation DVDs and end a fierce battle, industry sources said on Friday.

Other key companies involved in the format war, including Matsushita's Panasonic and Netherlands-based Philips are also studying ways to end the three-year stand-off that is threatening to stifle the industry's growth.

But sources close to the electronics companies said it was still early days, and that the discussions would take a long time, while adding that a positive outcome was not guaranteed.

"Discussions are taking place, but it's very complex, both in terms of technology but also because so many companies have a stake in this," one source told Reuters.

At the core of both formats are blue lasers, which have a shorter wavelength than the red lasers used in current DVD equipment, enabling thinner lines and higher density of information on a single 12 centimeter disc.

Higher storage DVDs are needed for high-definition movies and television. The companies which contribute to the next DVD standard can expect hundreds of millions, or even billions of euros (dollars) in royalty income over coming decades.

Panasonic said the Blu-ray standard it supports is the best format for next generation optical disc, but a spokesman added his firm "remains open to adopting appropriate technologies for the best interest of consumers and the marketplace."

Philips declined to comment.

Sony and Toshiba said on Thursday they would work toward a common format in order to avoid a drawn-out fight that would confuse consumers and hinder the industry's development, just like the spat between the VHS and Betamax video tape formats two decades ago.

In an interview with Reuters earlier this month in France, Yukinori Kawauchi, the general manager in charge of the new format for Sony, had said his company was "open to discussions" on creating a single technology standard.

NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVES

The about-turn coincides with the recent appointment of new chief executives at both Sony and Toshiba who do not have a strong personal interest in either format and can be more flexible.

The Blu-ray technology is backed by a group including Sony, Dell Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Philips Electronics NV and Matsushita.

Toshiba, with NEC Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd., has been promoting a technology called HD DVD.

Electronics companies hope the technology will spark a new wave of purchases for DVD players, and Hollywood's movie studios hope to benefit from a new round of buying of advanced DVDs.

Unlike the original DVD format dispute between 1993 and 1995, which was eventually resolved in a few months when the Sony-Philips camp agreed to develop a single standard with a camp around Toshiba and Warner, the current alliances involve many more companies, including those from the personal computer industry and Hollywood.

"There's a lot of powerplay internally. The managers may like the idea of a single standard, but the companies don't want to throw away everything they have developed," one source said.

Sony and Toshiba have reportedly already begun briefing Walt Disney Co. and other Hollywood movie studios for approval of a unified standard, paving the way for the signing of an agreement between the rival camps.

A unified format would be favorable for profitability across the industry because consumers would be more comfortable about buying next-generation products and manufacturers could achieve lower production costs.

The different formats for recordable DVDs, which were developed in the late 1990s, have made drives more expensive.

While the discussions to unify the format take place, preparations to introduce different HD-DVD and Blu-ray equipment later this year continue, the companies have said. (Additional reporting by Nathan Layne in Tokyo)

I'm wondering how long negotiations will take. The first article suggests they were looking to do a deal within a short period of time - by the end of the month - but this one suggests it may take longer than that. I hope the former holds true.